Letter to the Pope

Yes, Virginia, Catholicism once again has an earthly leader. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, a hardliner guardian of Catholic doctrine, prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, Dean of the College of Cardinals, the "Inquisitor" was elected by his peers to succeed John Paul II and lead the flock of 1+ billion Catholics worldwide. Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, was the early odds on favorite to walk away with all the marbles. At the age of 78, it is not likely that he will hold the position for the quarter of a century as John Paul did, but that he will bridge the gap between John Paul and a future Pope who will forge the sweeping changes necessary to rebuild the Church. Benedict XVI will not be the breath of fresh air as hoped for by more liberal Catholics. His views on celibacy in the priesthood, ordination of women, homosexuality, euthanasia and contraception, to name a few of the issues, parallel those of the departed Pontiff. However, there always remains the hope that one day Benny (I'm almost certain that this will become his nickname if it hasn't already) will awaken and decide that the time for change is at hand. After all John XXIII was a so called transitional Pope and he revolutionalized the Church via Vatican II. So I'm donning my anti-lightning rubber suit and sending off my wish list to his Popeness for review.

1. Revise the rules on the prohibition of married priests. The rule is antiquated and dates back to the time of Paul and his travels and letters to the various church communities distant from the reach of Rome. Paul felt that a woman at his side would be a detriment and most certainly a distraction as he prodded on in his quest to evangelize the heathens. The current church agrees that a marriage would distract a priest in performing his pastoral duties. But are not local priests, parish priests, distracted by the new duties and responsibilities heaped upon them? Oversight of parish councils, budget reviews, personnel issues and other businesslike pursuits detract from priestly duties. Ministers of other denominations marry and seem to preach the gospel quite well. This should be remembered, Your Holiness, as you reach out to members of other faiths since you once publicly denounced them as being deficient. We often look back to the teachings of the Old Testament for inspiration. We find that the holy men of the time were married and were responsible for a great number of offspring. Were they distracted in their love for their God because they were married? The number of priests on the front line is dwindling and the rate of attrition has reached the critical stage of meltdown. Compromise is necessary.

2. Permit the ordination of women. So if we are unable to compromise on the celibacy issue, let's apply it to all and shore up the priesthood by ordaining women. Women can be celibate, too. Remember, women have played a major role in the workings of faith. Women were present at the inception of the Catholic church on Pentecost. Christ's Mother was a woman. Need I say more? I have personally known women who can preach the Gospel with much more passion than some of the priests I have encountered. Why does the Church fear their involvement in areas other than Easter and Christmas decorations? The same process, the same theological studies would be addressed. I fail to find any biblical passage that would prohibit women from being ordained. If the word priestess in some way conjurs up a negative connotation, a neutral gender classification would be acceptable. A surplus of messengers of the Good Word might be a blessing.

3. Ease the rules on the use of contraceptive devices. Exceptions to the rules on birth control are necessary. Exceptions are in fact granted in cases of medical necessity. Women of the "cafeteria Catholic" variety while abhorred by the mere thought of abortion, routinely partake of the pill and still seek the sacramental benefits of the Church. In Third World countries beset with the epidemic of AIDS, the use of condoms equates with heresy. Your Holiness needs to cut some slack.
I know you are busy right now, getting situated and all, so I'll dash off another wish list in six months after you have had a chance to implement some of these suggestions